Condo conversions in El Cerrito: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the El Cerrito Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (extracted October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What El Cerrito's code says

El Cerrito code What El Cerrito's code adds
Limits on conversions	A yearly allotment set by the Planning Commission; the first round may use at most 60%, both rounds 100%. Applies: Applications are taken twice a year, on the last Friday in April and October; unused allotments do not carry over. § 19.45.060 · code text The total number of rental units approved for conversion to condominiums in the first annual consideration shall not exceed sixty (60%) percent of the total annual allotment No conversions are approved when rentals make up 15% or less of all homes in the city. § 19.45.060 · code text Conversion projects shall not be approved by the Commission if the total percentage of rental stock in the City is equal to or less than 15% of total dwelling unit stock.
Relocation help	At least 6 more months to find suitable replacement housing. Applies: Non-buying tenants who are handicapped, have minor children in school, or are 60 or older and do not accept a lifetime lease. § 19.45.070 · code text Any non-purchasing tenant who is handicapped or has minor children in school or is age 60 or older and does not accept a lifetime lease, living in any unit prior to the time a completed tentative or parcel map application has been accepted by the Community Development Department shall be given at least an additional six months in which to find suitable replacement housing. Moving expenses equal to 2 times the monthly rent. Applies: Tenant households living in the unit before the map application was accepted; paid within 14 days after moving, subject to a stated exception. § 19.45.070 · code text The applicant shall provide moving expenses of two times the monthly rent to any tenant household living in any unit prior to the time a completed tentative or parcel map application has been accepted by the Community Development Department as provided in this section. 2 times the monthly rent for moving expenses. Applies: Prospective tenants owed notice who become tenants, do not buy their unit, and did not get the required notice. § 19.45.070 · code text If the applicant fails to give notice pursuant to this section, he or she shall pay to each prospective tenant who becomes a tenant and who was entitled to such notice and who does not purchase his or her unit, an amount equal to two times monthly rent for moving expenses.
Notice to tenants	At least 60 days before the parcel or tentative map is filed, in the Subdivision Map Act form. Applies: Notice of intent to convert; the form must also be approved by the Community Development Director. § 19.45.070 · code text A notice of intent to convert shall be delivered by the Applicant to each tenant at least 60 days prior to filing of the parcel map or tentative map. The form of the notice shall be in the form outlined in the Subdivision Map Act, Government Code Section 66452.9, and approved by the Community Development Director. 10 days' written notice. Applies: Notice that a public report application will be or has been filed. § 19.45.070 · code text Each tenant shall receive 10 days' written notice that an application for a public report will be or has been submitted to the Department of Real Estate and that such report will be available on request. Within 10 days after the final map is approved. Applies: Notice of final map approval. § 19.45.070 · code text Each tenant shall receive written notification within 10 days of approval of a final map for the proposed conversion. At least 180 days' written notice. Applies: Notice of intent to convert before the tenancy ends, for tenants not in default under their rental agreement or lease. § 19.45.070 · code text Each tenant not in default under the obligations of the rental agreement or lease under which he occupies his unit, shall be given a minimum of 180 days' written notice of intention to convert his or her unit prior to termination of tenancy. At least 60 days before the tentative map is filed. Applies: Notice to people who apply to rent a unit after that date, given before any rent or deposit is accepted. § 19.45.070 · code text At least 60 days prior to the filing of the tentative map, the applicant shall give notice of the filing of the map to each person applying after such date for rental of a unit immediately prior to acceptance of any rent or deposit.
Tenants' right to buy	Exclusive right for at least 90 days to buy their unit on terms at least as good as the public's. Applies: For current tenants, starting from the date the subdivision public report is issued. § 19.45.070 · code text The right shall run for a period of not less than 90 days from the date of issuance of the subdivision public report unless the tenant gives prior written notice of his or her intention not to exercise the right.

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What happens to tenants when an El Cerrito building converts to condos?

El Cerrito's code: A yearly allotment set by the Planning Commission; the first round may use at most 60%, both rounds 100%. (Applications are taken twice a year, on the last Friday in April and October; unused allotments do not carry over.) (§ 19.45.060); No conversions are approved when rentals make up 15% or less of all homes in the city. (§ 19.45.060).

Condo conversions in El Cerrito

What El Cerrito's code says

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